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The Mystique of Buddhism in the Oeuvre of Nikos Kazantzakis
Seminar Date: Thursday 8 May 2025 @ 7pm Melbourne
Location: Level M, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Presenter: Dr Vasilis Adrahtas Language of Presentation: English
Entry: FREE |
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Synopsis
Religion is one of the most prominent elements in the works of Nikos Kazantzakis; not only Western religion but also Eastern, especially Buddhism. It is worth keeping in mind that Kazantzakis produced his oeuvre during a time when the West was encountering the East intellectually and was looking for means to reshape its cultural capital.
This is the general socio-historical backdrop against which one should place the personal spiritual fascination of Kazantzakis with Buddhist tradition, ideas and practices. In my presentation I will explore this fascination or mystique from The Saviors of God: Spiritual Exercises to Zorba the Greek and Kazantzakis’ Odyssey to a palimpsest-kind of work of his under the title Buddha.
The most interesting conclusion of this exploration is not so much the plethora of Kazantzakis’ references to Buddhism, but the subtle, creative and ingenious ways in which he managed to interweave Buddhist with non-Buddhist hierophanic forms.
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Bio
Vassilis Adrahtas is the Convenor of Greek Studies, UNSW and a Subject Coordinator, Islamic Studies, WSU. He holds a PhD in the Sociology of Religion (Panteion University) and a PhD in Studies in Religion (University of Sydney). His specialisation is in Early Christianity, Patristics, Byzantine Philosophy, the History of Religions and Indigenous Australian Studies. He has authored and co/edited more than ten books.
He has served as President of the International Society of Nikos Kazantzakis, Sydney Branch (2015-2025) and is the co-founder of Unity in Philia, a not-for-profit promoting intercultural relations between Greece and Australia and cultural diplomacy in the Asia-Pasific region.
His most recent publications are Islam, Civility and Political Culture (Palgrave Macmillan 2021, co-edited with M. Milani); 20 Years with Nikos (International Society of Nikos Kazantzakis, Sydney Branch, 2021); Kazantzakis in Australia! (International Society of Nikos Kazantzakis, Sydney Branch, 2024); Consciousness’ Journey to the Transcendent: Tuning the Finite to Infinity. (Unity in Philia, 2025).
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How to Participate
This is an in-person only event, so please join us at the Greek Centre, on Level M. See our speaker live, ask questions during the Q&A and hobnob with fellow participants before and after the event. We look forward to seeing you there.
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Sponsors
We thank the Kostas Stefanidis for the kind donation that made this seminar possible.
During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice. You too can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne. Please email: info@greekcommunity.com.au or call 03 9662 2722. We thank the following corporate sponsors:
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See more Greek History and Culture Seminars
Did you know that you can see the whole 2025 seminar program, details of upcoming seminars, watch previously recorded seminars and more on the Greek Community website?
You can find your way there in one of the following ways:
- Visit our website and go to
Events > Event Series > Greek History and Culture Seminars 2025
or
- Follow this link: https://www.greekcommunity.com.au/seminars-2025
or - Click the button below.
(PS: Catch up with 2024 Seminars you missed by following this link)
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The Greek Community of Melbourne is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Non-Profits Commission ABN 14004258360
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